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Weather Forecast

Schools close today as weather worsens

The plows were out at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Willmar at the intersection of Highway 71/23 and Litchfield Avenue as the second snowstorm in 13 days barrelled through the state. (Tribune photo by Rand Middleton)

Icy roads are making driving difficult and a forecast of heavy snow is resulting in schools closing today in west central Minnesota.

Some schools, like Montevideo and Benson, did not attempt to have school today because of icy roads.

Other districts, like Willmar and New London-Spicer sent students home early because of heavy snow.

Dan Effertz from the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, said Willmar will get 3-5 inches of snow by mid-afternoon. Temperatures are expected to drop quickly and northwest winds of 15-25 mph are predicted.

Freezing drizzle overnight left roads slippery.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation had crews out applying chemicals on icy roads this morning. "We're just waiting for the snow and the wind," said Diane Beck, public affairs coordinator from the District 8 office in Willmar.

Kandiyohi County crews were out sanding roads early this morning.

Gary Danielson, public works director, said the roads "aren't that bad but you can't trust them."

Depending on how much snow actually comes this way, Danielson said crews will "play it by ear for the rest of the day" and try to "stay ahead" of the weather to keep roads safe.